Famous Members
Duke of Westminster - the third richest person in Britian
The Duke joined the Territorial Army in 1970 as a trooper. Read how he became Colonel Commandant Yeomanry of the Royal Armoured Corps.
James Blunt - champion skier of the Royal Armoured Corps
The singer/songwriter of You're Beautiful was captain of the Household Cavalry Alpine ski team, where he eventually came 26th out of the entire Army.
Further Reading
Articles from November 2008
- Royal Amoured Corps Veteran shares memories of Dunkirk
- Armistice Day: last surviving veterans honor their fallen comrades
- Missing details of a fallen Soldier
- Armoured Corps veteran makes sky dive
- The Duke of Westminster attends new memorial service
- Service men and women - past and present
- A new generation of rememberance
Subscribe to articles by RSS.A new generation of rememberance
11th November 2008
Younger generations of people are activley participating in the rememberance of this country's war heroes...
On the 90th anniversary of WW1, record numbers have shown their continued support for the rememberance of the Soldiers who lost their lives for this country by pruchasing a poppy, something which a whole new generation of youngsters are taking an increasing interest in.
Schoolchildren presented proud war heroes with poppies earlier today to honour their services and kick-start this year’s appeal.At the ceremony The Royal British Legion honoured all of the soldiers who fought in major conflicts from World War II to the present.War veterans of World War II, Northern Ireland, the Gulf War and Afghanistan were presented with the symbolic flower to launch Kent’s Poppy Appeal 2008.
Soldiers honoured included SSGT Matthew Baker, from Aylesford, who served in the TA (Territorial Army) in Iraq.Captain Wade Hankins, from Maidstone, who is currently serving with 36 Engineer Regiment in Maidstone, was honoured for his time in Afghanistan.
Captain Gareth Heal RAMC, also from Maidstone, was recognised for his service in Kosovo.Mr Heal has served with many regiments including Royal Corps of Transport and Royal Army Medical Corps. He is now Captain with C220 Squadron, in Ditton.He said: “The appeal is not all about the past; it is also about the future for soldiers currently on operational tours.Other veterans honoured included David Lear MBE, Canterbury, Reginald Carter MM, Whitstable, Michael Stubbings, Borough Green, and Mark Ward, Rainham.Civil leaders and military commanders from across Kent arrived at the ceremony at Maidstone County Hall today (October 23) at 11.00am, hosted by Kent County Council chairman Peter Lake.
Mr Lake said: “In these tough economic times everyone suffers and the serving and ex-service community are no exception.“With current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan we are reminded that the human cost of conflict is sadly ongoing and that the Poppy Appeal is still as relevant now as it ever has been.“Today, we are calling on everyone to give generously to the Poppy Appeal and of course wear your poppy with pride.”The appeal marks the start of the two week run up to Remembrance Sunday, on November 11, which will be the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice, the moment when World War I came to an end in 1918.
Community fundraiser Clare Saunders said: “We’d like to thank all those who volunteer and who give generously to the appeal.“For many people buying a poppy is about their act of remembrance. However, the work carried out with the money raised from the Poppy Appeal is very much about the living.”
Last year Kent’s Poppy appeal raised £985,261.10, which allowed the organisation to respond to nearly 800 calls for Royal British Legion support.Children from All Soul’s C of E Primary School, Folkestone and High Firs Primary School, Swanley presented the honourees with their poppies.